Catcher s glove



(No Model.)

E. L. ROGERS. GATCHERS GLOVE.

No. 528,343. Patented Oct. 30, 1894.

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UNITED STATES PATENT union.

ELROY L. ROGERS, OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

CATCH ERs G LOVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,343, datedlOctober 30,1894.

Application filed July 12, 1894.

T0 all whom. it may concern.:

Be it known that I, ELROY L. ROGERS, of

NVakefield, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Base-Ball Mitts, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention relatesto the padded mitts or gloves employed by base-ball players, particularlycatchers, and has in view animproved arrangement for closing the mitt so that it can be opened when desired for the purpose of rearranging the padding or taking out old andputtingin new padding. Itis well known that the hard usage to which a glove of this character is subjected causes the padding to become disarranged, and also matted so as to require rearrangement and replenishment. It is therefore desirable that the interior of the mitt will be accessible, and my invention is directed toward providing closing devices which will allow access to the padding and which will present no unyielding protuberances, such being objectionable for obvious reasons.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the mitt closed. Fig. 2 shows a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the glove opened. Fig. 4t shows the locking piece detached.

The general construction of the mitt is that commonly employed, its pad-portion comprising a palm, a, and back, b, each made of a single piece of leather cut out in the proper shape, aconnecting edge-strip, c, and padding, e, filling the space between the palm and back.

The usual pocket for the hand of the wearer is attached to the back-piece, b, a portion of it only showing in Fig. l, and designated by the letter, d. This pocket is not shown in full as it does not differ from those commonly found in this class of gloves.

In carrying outfmyinvention the edge strip, c, is divided for aconsiderable distance around the inner side of the mitt,as shown at e', the dividing slit extending from a point somewhat back from the end of the thumb portion of the mitt on the outer side, well around to Serial No. 5 17,285. (N o model.)

the opposite side of the mitt, so as to allow ample opening of the mitt for access to the interior thereof. The leather. of the edge strip at the ends of the dividing slit works as a hinge in the opening of the mitt.

Along each side of the dividing slit, a strip of leather f is secured by stitching or otherwise,and each strip is provided with a numberof elongated loops f separated from each other, each loop being preferably integral with the strip on which it is formed. The loops on each strip alternate in position with those on Vthe other strip, so that the loops may be interlocked and brought into alignment when the mitt is closed. A locking-piece or Stringer g, which is preferablya rounded strip of leather, is run through the aligning loops, and its ends properly secured. I have here shown the ends of this locking-piece fastened by means of pieces of string h attached to them and wound around buttons h riveted to the edge-strip c; but it is evident other means might be employed for accomplishing `the same purpose.

It will be seen that myv method of closing the mitt provides a perfectly pliable joint, and there are no unyielding protuberances, as metal fastenings. Moreover, the alternatingl loops and the locking-strip cover the dividing slit, and there is no possibility of the padding protruding through this slit.

The locking-piece or Stringer should be sufciently stiff to prevent lateral movement of the loops or eyes, and sufficiently flexible to conform to the curvature of the edge of the glove.

Vhat I claim as my invention is as follows:

l. In a catchers mitt or glove, a pad-portion comprising a back and a front or palm piece, an edge-strip connecting the back and front piecesy and formed with a dividing slit, strips of pliable material fastened to the said edge-strip along opposite sides of the slit and having elongated loops alternately arranged so that all may be brought into alignment, and a round leather locking Stringer passing through the aligning loops. Y

2. In a catchers mitt or glove, a pad-portion comprising a back and a front or palm piece, an edge-strip connecting the back and front pieces and formed with a dividing slit,

IOO

strips of pliable material fastened to the said edge-strip along opposite sides of the slit and having elongated loops alternately arranged so that all may be brought into alignment,

5 a round leather locking stringerpassing through the aligning loops and havin g fastening strings at its ends, and buttons fastened to theedge-strip of the glove and adapted to receive the said fastening strings.

ELROY L. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, FRANK PARKER DAVIS. 

